Coronation Street’s Michael Le Vell admits Kevin Webster’s moustache turned him into ‘a gay ICON’

Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell has revealed his character Kevin Webster’s legendary moustache turned him into a ‘gay icon.’

The actor, who has starred on the soap since 1983, said he was inundated with letters from fans sharing their love for his facial hair, and he would even make appearances at gay clubs.

But Michael then admitted his newfound facial hair fan base disappeared overnight after it was shaved off for an on-screen bet, and despite contemplating growing it back he never has.

Michael told The Sun on Sunday that when he played Kevin back in the 1980s his moustache meant he had attention from both male and female fans.

At the time Kevin was one of the soaps hottest heartthrobs after marrying Sally Seddon.

He said: ‘Everybody loved my moustache! I was booked up doing appearances at gay clubs throughout the country, from Land’s End to John O’Groats.  

‘I used to get loads of fan mail, and underpants sent in the post. But then, in the show, Stephanie Barnes shaved off Kevin’s ‘tache for a bet and it changed overnight — nobody would book me.

‘I have thought about growing it back many times. I even asked the Corrie bosses if we could do Movember but they said no. Gutted.’

Michael is Corrie’s second longest-serving male cast member after William Roache, who has played Ken Barlow for 60 years.

The actor also discussed the soap’s upcoming 60th Anniversary storylines, which will see property developer Ray Crosby plot with Kevin’s sister Debbie Webster as they aim to buy up every house on the Street so they can be bulldozed.

Michael said he didn’t expect Debbie to be in cahoots in Ray when it was revealed she’d be returning to the Street after three decades away, and has enjoyed being at the centre of the anniversary storylines, which will air next month.

Despite playing a mechanic on the soap Michael also confessed he’s never even learned how to change a tyre.

Kevin has most been known for his 24-year marriage to Sally, which fell apart in 2010 after he confessed to having an affair with married Molly Dobbs.

Despite their divorce Kevin and Sally have remained friendly, and Michael said he believes their partnership is one of the most enduring in soap history.

And despite filming thousands of episodes, Michael said that one episode still sticks in his mind, when Kevin learned the devastating news that his baby son Jake after contracting the bacterial infection GBS. 

The soap legend said he now feels he’s in a position to help his younger co-stars, particularly when it comes to reminding them to be on-time for filming.

Kevin and Tyrone Dobbs on-screen friendship – which endured despite the bombshell affair revelations – remains a standout for Michael as he said he and co-star Alan Halsall still strive to make each other laugh on set.